1:1 Joel was a prophet to the nation of Judah, also known as the southern kingdom. Although the 12 tribes of Israel had been united under David and Solomon, after Solomon’s death, the kingdom had divided into two parts. Two of the tribes—Judah and Benjamin—stayed loyal to David’s line and accepted Solomon’s son Rehoboam as king. They became the southern kingdom, also called Judah (after the larger tribe). The other ten tribes followed Jeroboam, set up a new kingdom with a new capital at Samaria, and called themselves Israel or the northern kingdom.
The book does not mention when Joel lived, but many believe that he prophesied during the reign of King Joash (835–796 B.C.). But the date of Joel’s book is not nearly so important as its timeless message: Sin brings God’s judgment; yet with God’s justice there is also great mercy.
1:3 God urged parents to pass their history down to their children, telling over and over the important lessons they learned. One of the greatest gifts you can give young people is your life’s story to help them repeat your successes and avoid your mistakes.
1:4 A locust plague can be as devastating as an invading army. Locusts gather in swarms too numerous to count (1:6) and fly several feet above the ground, seeming to darken the sun as they pass by (2:2). When they land, they devour almost every piece of vegetation (1:7-12), covering and entering everything in their path (2:9).
1:4 Joel’s detailed description has caused many to believe that he was referring to an actual locust plague that had come or was about to come upon the land. Another view is that the locusts symbolize an invading enemy army. In either case, the locusts represent devastation, and Joel’s point was that God would punish the people because of their sin. Joel calls this judgment the “day of the LORD” (see the note on 1:15).
1:5 The people’s physical and moral senses were dulled, making them oblivious to sin. Joel called them to awaken from their complacency and admit their sins before it was too late. Otherwise everything would be destroyed, even the grapes that caused their drunkenness. Our times of peace and prosperity can lull us to sleep. We must never let material abundance hinder our spiritual readiness.
1:9 Because of the devastation, there was no grain to make fine flour for the grain offerings and no wine for the drink offerings (see Leviticus 1 and 2 for a detailed explanation of these offerings).
1:13 Mourners at a funeral would wear sackcloth (burlap clothing). Used here, it would be a sign of repentance.
1:14 A fast was a period of time when no food was eaten and people approached God with humility, sorrow for sin, and urgent prayer. In the Old Testament, people often would fast during times of calamity in order to focus their attention on God and to demonstrate their change of heart and their true devotion (see, for example, Judges 20:26; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 8:21; Jonah 3:5). This solemn meeting was a public religious gathering, called so that everyone could repent and pray to God for mercy.
1:15 The “day of the LORD” is a common phrase in the Old Testament and in the book of Joel (see 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). It always refers to some extraordinary happening, whether a present event (like a locust plague), an event in the near future (like the destruction of Jerusalem or the defeat of enemy nations), or the final period of history when God will defeat all the forces of evil.
Even when the day of the Lord refers to a present event, it also foreshadows the final day of the Lord. This final event of history has two aspects to it: (1) the last judgment on all evil and sin and (2) the final reward for faithful believers. Righteousness and truth will prevail, but not before much suffering (Zechariah 14:1-3). If you trust the Lord, looking toward this final day should give you hope, because then all who are faithful will be united forever with God.